INS SURAT the last of the Vishakhapatnam class commences Sea trials
The keel of this destroyer was laid down in 2018 and the ship was launched in 2022. Now on 18 Jun 2024 the ship has gone for sea trials before commissioning. The ship has been built at two different geographical locations using the block construction methodology involving hull construction and joining at Mazgaon. The Crest of this Ship depicts the lighthouse at Hazira near Surat which is situated at the southern entrance of the Gulf of Khambhat and was built in 1836 as one of the first lighthouses in India. The Asiatic Lion of Gujarat is also depicted on the crest.
The ship has been Constructed using cutting-edge technology and is a highly modified derivative of Kolkata Class destroyers. This 7400 ton Ship can carry two Dhruv or Seaking type helicopters. It has a compliment of 50 officers and 250 sailors.
With a Sea endurance of 45 days it has a range of 15000 km at 18 knots. Among other things it can carry 32 Barak 8 Surface to Air Missiles and 16 BrahMos Surface to Surface Missiles.
With the above Ship, the Navy will have 12 destroyers, whereas it needs 24 of them. Six Next generation destroyers of nearly 13000 ton displacement have been planned but they are more like a Cruiser which are also required @ two per Fleet.
Coming to the destroyers, a 10000 ton destroyers must get finalized and ordered be placed for six each on Mazagaon and GRSE Kolkata.
